Directors Guild hails French piracy law

Approved bill cuts off Internet access for violators

The Directors Guild of America has applauded passage of France’s law banning Internet access for those who download pirated copyright material.

The bill was approved in the National Assembly on Tuesday and the French Senate on Wednesday. The measure will be implemented through an independent administrative authority — serving as an intermediary between content providers and Internet service providers — sending warnings on each of an individual’s first two violations and cutting off Internet access for the third infraction for a limited period of time.

“The Directors Guild of America believes the passage of the ‘Creation and Internet’ law in France today is a very important step forward in an international effort to protect intellectual property,” DGA president Michael Apted said.The DGA’s national board endorsed the measure on April 25. Apted said the legislation offers a unique model for defeating the problem of Internet piracy.